I had my second (2nd) interview for the Systems Support Analyst job. I've had a number of job interviews lately so I feel I'm getting good at those aspects of it I used to be not-so-good at.

There are still some questions out there, that I now know I need to be prepared for since they seem to keep coming, THAT I JUST HATE BEING ASKED!!!

Namely, "We've spoken to a lot of well-qualified candidates - why are you better than them?" or "Why should I hire you instead of any of them." "What is it about YOU that makes YOU think YOU'RE the best bla bleh bleh...."

I remember that ER episode when Dr. Weaver said, "I never know how to answer that one about my weaknesses." Wheareas I feel totally good about that question, I've gotten really good at answering it honestly and confidently, without being self-effacing or self-destructive. In fact one of my historical weaknesses has been arrogance, a superiority complex, a tendency to pontificate and a hoiler-than-thou demeanor. It is on that same point that I want to answer the "why hire YOU" question by saying, "I didn't walk in here swearing that I was better than anyone else!"

Obviously, that could be seen as tantamount to me saying, "It's OK with me if you hire someone else, he's a better candidate."

How would/do you respond to that question in a job interview?

What are YOUR least favorite/most troublesome questions, and how have you gotten better at answering them when they've come up?

I've always answered that question by using a couple of experiences and how my knowledge of the role already can help in the future. For example, I recently applied for a job as an assistant buyer (currently I'm an inventory analyst). I mentioned some of the skills that I use in my current job that would have a direct tie-in to what I would be doing in the job I was interviewing for - examples of knowing the product, having devised solutions already for the projects that I was working on, etc. Basically I try to show how I have a unique experience that has already correlated with the new position.

It's sort of a trick question. I can't answer for others, but my intent was never to have the candidate accurately compare himself (herself) to other candidates. Obviously that would be impossible unless the other candidates are known. The purpose of the question was mainly to smoke out bullsh*tters. The best answer would be along the lines of "I'm qualified and I think I would do a good job." Another good answer would be "I don't know who else you interviewed, so I can't answer factually." A bad answer would be an outburst of narcissistic chest-thumping.

My favorite question was "How do you justify your existence?" I'm sure the candidates hated that one. I never asked it unless they were already doing quite well in the interview. There is no right or wrong answer of course, I was just curious to see what they would say. Fortunately for everyone concerned (including me), I haven't had to interview or make hiring decisions for a couple years now.

I've never had a true job interview, but I would probably answer the question something along the lines of not having enough information to answer the question appropriately -- e.g. knowing nothing about the other candidates how am I suposed to equivocate on being better than anyone else.

And quite honestly -- again having never interviewed, but rather beeing "welcomed to join" as a recruitment strategy -- if you think someone else is better qualified, go ahead and hire them. Clearly there was something that made you interested in talking to me and I'd rather not waste our time.

Lincoln

CO Is My Airline of Choice || Baggage Claim is an airline's last chance to disappoint a customer || Next flts in profile

I'd always think the best answer to that would be to suggest that you will still be in their company but in a higher position. It shows that you aren't going to leave too soon, but that you have ambition and want to develop within their company to add increasing value to the organisation.

I'm guessing that "On a beach in Jamaica after winning a huge settlement after I got hurt working here" isn't the answer they are looking for.

Haha, I'm guessing "doing your wife" also wouldn't cut it

(or "doing your son" for those Family Guy fans here)

Quoting BMI727 (Reply 6):This isn't really for job interviews, but anytime there is some sort of icebreaker thing or I am told to "tell us about yourself" drives me up a wall.

Myself as well. And that's probably why people who aren't my close friends don't know all that much about me. I don't generally offer info unless specifically asked. A vague question will get a vague answer.

My least favourite ones are the policy questions, on how one might implement a certain policy related to the role. You have to know the policy fairly well already. You can't fluff your way through those - you really do have to know your stuff.

For me in my previous roles, it's always been a written claim for the position addressing selection criteria (including common criteria) and then an interview - where I usually get 10min or 15min to look at the questions they will ask me and think about how I might respond to them. And it is always usually 3 or 4 people on the interview panel. And you know who the panel is when the invitation to the interview is sent out.

Quoting PITIngres (Reply 2):It's sort of a trick question. I can't answer for others, but my intent was never to have the candidate accurately compare himself (herself) to other candidates. Obviously that would be impossible unless the other candidates are known. The purpose of the question was mainly to smoke out bullsh*tters.

My strategy, which might be wrong, would be to re-iterate my expertise against the job-spec with examples of my experience and how I've used the knowledge. I wouldn't mention anything about the other candidates. And certainly avoid any generic statements like "i have experience with" and nothing to justify or explain it. They already know that from your resumé, they want examples on how you've used your knowledge - at least in my experience previously.

The last time someone asked ME that question, my answer was to laugh loudly in their face, and say "Career paths are for young people! I want to be making some money and having some fun." The questioner in that particular case was offended, but that was OK with me -- I had already decided that I wasn't interested. (The smallish company involved went belly-up about 15 months later.)